Carlos Gonzalez Facing Possible Surgery

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez will likely undergo surgery to fix the torn ligament in his right middle finger after 10 weeks of rest failed to heal the injury he told The Denver Post in an exclusive interview.

Gonzalez said Sunday that he will travel to Cleveland to visit a hand specialist Thursday. If surgery is recommended which a top Arizona physician advised on Sunday then Gonzalez will have the procedure done either later this month or immediately following the season. He’s leaning heavily toward surgery.

“It’s my decision. I am probably going to have it regardless of what he says. It’s just not getting any better” Gonzalez said. “I want to be ready for spring training.”

The surgery however is not a simple procedure. Gonzalez would have the ligament replaced and a pin inserted to stabilize the finger for six to eight weeks. When the pin is removed aggressive therapy would follow for roughly two months to help him regain most of his flexibility Rockies trainer Keith Dugger said. It would leave him ready to swing a bat in early January barring any setbacks.